JUST READ!

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• Manila is no longer a good friend
• Al-Fatehah
• Lim Guan Eng almost a dictator

Manila is no longer a good friend Posted: 27 Mar 2013 09:51 PM PDT The new address reads: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, The Philippines. This is the directive given by the Foreign Office in Manila to all Pinoys when addressing Sabah in all correspondence, official or not. No more 'Sabah, Malaysia'. The government of President Aquino is now supporting self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram in his claim on Sabah. Indirectly, they also support the intrusion by the Suluks in Lahad Datu. So, it is clear that Malacanang wants Sabah and didn't recognise UN recognition that the state belongs to Malaysia. Manila is also forgetting that Indonesia will not allow that to happen as it shares the land border with Sabah and Sarawak. If Manila puts a claim on Sabah, Jakarta too (I believe) has more rights to do so but the Indonesians have accepted the fact that Sabah is Malaysia. What the Philippines do could spark a war in Southeast Asia! MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminded government agencies yesterday of a government directive not to refer to Sabah as part of Malaysia.  DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular 162 dated Aug. 20, 2008 entitled "Guidelines on Matters Pertaining to North Borneo (SABAH)" to government departments with regard to any act or statement expressing or implying, directly or indirectly, any recognition of a foreign state's sovereignty over Sabah, a Philippine territory.  Hernandez clarified the circular, issued by then Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita by authority of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, after it was raised in a discussion at a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday. "I understand the subject of whether or not to refer to Sabah as being part of Malaysia was mentioned in that meeting," Hernandez said.  The Philippines has always maintained historical and legal rights over Sabah. The circular was issued because of the need for guidelines with regard to activities, acts or statements in relation to Sabah for the protection of rights.

Al-Fatehah Posted: 27 Mar 2013 12:04 PM PDT My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of media icon Zainon Ahmad aka Pak Non, 70, who passed away in Kota Bharu yesterday. The Malaysian media fraternity lost one of the best teachers of journalism, a person whom I knew since 1980 and for telling me: "A true journalist fears nothing." We were together in many places - from New Delhi to Bangkok, Seoul to Tokyo, London to Paris and Los Angeles to Johannesburg. The Sun's consultant and political editor had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II Tuesday after he lost consciousness, believed to be due to liver cancer. Zainon, who served as a teacher for three years before becoming a journalist 35 years ago, was formerly group associate editor of The New Straits Times. He became Editor-in-Chief of The Sun in 2002. Zainon also won the Media Personality Award in 2010. He held a Bachelor's degree in History and a Master's in International Relations from the University of Malaya. Al-Fatehah...

Lim Guan Eng almost a dictator Posted: 27 Mar 2013 12:24 AM PDT Former PM Tun Dr Mahathir took about a year to get approval and consent from all parties, including the opposition for his Penang Bridge project. He even asked various agencies to conduct a thorough feasibility study before the tender was called. He also took into consideration all inputs, suggestions and complaints before embarking on the 'mega' KLCC, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, STAR-LRT, monorail and KLIA projects. None would be implemented without getting the majority voice, including the rakyat. However, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng likes it to be a one man show. When we accused him of practicing 'corporate and legalistic entity' approach in his administration, he jumped off his seat and denied it. GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claims Penangites supported his government's plan to build the RM6.3 billion mega road infrastructure projects to alleviate traffic congestion on the island. His cited the reaction of attendees, mostly young voters, at various dialogue and briefing sessions, particularly at two public gatherings last week, as proof that the people backed his plans to build three new bypass highways and an undersea tunnel. In a statement posted on his blog, he promised that all inputs gathered from these sessions over the past 18 months would be given an in-depth perusal before the state government signs the project's final agreement with the contractor in few months' time. The mega projects include a 6.5km tunnel linking Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam; a 4.2km bypass road linking Lim Chong Eu Expressway and Gurney Drive; a 4.6km bypass linking Air Itam and Lim Chong Eu Expressway; and a 12km Tanjung Bunga-Teluk Bahang road. The projects, however, have come under fire from social activists, environmentalists, consumer rights activists and public transport advocates. However, he is such a person - which draws him close to a dictator. He didn't care what others, especially the rakyat say about him or his government and the manner in which state projects were approved without consent from various authorities. Whatever he says, rules now and nobody should contest. His claim that Penangites support the project goes without basis. Many parties are against it since the Second Penang Bridge project is still under construction and will help reduce congestion on the existing bridge once its fully completed. His officers are afraid to raise their concern about Lim's style of management. Once the boss is upset, they tend to be sidelined. GEORGE TOWN: THE normally cool and calm S.M. Mohamed Idris has finally snapped  and the cause of his displeasure is none other than the Penang government, namely Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Mohamed Idris said Lim's style of governance had turned Penang into a place where an "atmosphere of intolerance" prevailed and people were afraid to speak and voice their objections for fear of upsetting him. He said it had come to a situation where the state government thought it was more knowledgeable than anyone else and should not be questioned now that they had been chosen by the people. The veteran non-governmental organisation leader said he had heard from people, including his own friends, that they would rather not make comments or take part in press conferences organised to raise issues against the administration. "Freedom of opinion, to debate and criticise is important in a democracy, but the chief minister does not seem to like that. I do not know what his position is. I wonder why Lim always applies speed on all Penang projects, without having to call for meetings and getting feedback from related agencies. Is he feeling the heat mounting, that DAP would lose Penang in the impending general election? Maybe he thinks 'before we get the boot, better grab anything valuable in Penang... I don't care what others say or think about it...!'

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